The multimedia principle utilizes words and graphics to teach learners. "Multimedia presentations can encourage learners to engage in active learning by mentally representing the material in words and in pictures and by mentally making connections between the pictorial and verbal representations" (Clark & Mayer, 2011, p. 71).
Words:
Printed, "Words printed on the screen that people read" (Clark & Mayer, 2011, p. 70).
Spoken, "Words presented as speech that people listen to through earphones or speakers" (Clark & Mayer, 2011, p. 70).
Words:
Graphics:
- Static: Pictures, illustrations, charts, maps, graphs
- Dynamic: Animation, videos
(Clark & Mayer, 2011)Functions of Graphics:
- Decorative: Decorate the page without enhancing the message
- Representational: Portrays a single element
- Relational: Portrays a quantitative relationship among two or more variables
- Organizational: Depicts the relations among the elements
- Transformational: Depicts changes in an object over time
- Interpretive - illustrates invisible relationships
(Clark & Mayer, 2011, p. 72)How the Graphic Enhances E-Learning:
- Teach content
- Organize information
- Show relationships
- Connect hidden relationships
(Clark & Mayer, 2011, p. 74-78)Examples of Appropriate Use of Multimedia Principle:
Transformational Illustration of germination. This is also an example of the Contiguity Principle. (Krauz, 2011)
Relational map of the California-Nevada fault line. (United States Geological Survey, 2012)